Digital switchover helps boost TV sales at John Lewis

Sales of televisions at department store John Lewis were boosted by the recent digital switchover, according to the firm.

A report by Reuters said the company had managed to continue its run of double-digit weekly sales increases, despite retail sales across Britain being hit last month. Sales at the firm increased 11.6 percent year-on-year to £59.7m in the week to May 19.

"John Lewis enjoyed another solid week, comfortably up on last year," said Simon Russell, director retail operations development. "Comparisons are as tricky as ever with the weather and the tail end of the digital switchover on our side while at the same time we were up against some strong trade thanks to some active price matching of a competitor's sale last year."

The growth was helped by a jump in demand for the company's electrical and home technology products, up 36.7 percent in the week.

Sales in John Lewis' home category were up 4.8 percent, while the company said fashion sales increased by 2.1 percent.